Kevin Pietersen made his anger clear to thousands on Twitter this morning when he was unable to practise batting outside because of rain water on the Adelaide Oval nets.

How can I practice on this? Kevin Pietersen was denied by wet nets

Pietersen, who was fined by the ECB following a foul-mouthed Twitter rant after being dropped from the England one-day team in August, appeared to blame groundstaff for failing to cover the nets as soon as it began to rain.

England instead had to practise indoors, in preparation for the start of the second Ashes Test on Friday.

Pietersen, who was denied a second innings in the first Test in Brisbane when the three above him in the England order all made centuries to draw the match, asked his Twitter followers: 'What should a groundsmen [sic] make sure he does 2days out from a test match????'

Minutes later, he provided the answer himself - and an apparent comment on the situation.

'Cover the nets when it rains maybe???

'PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

A spokesman for the South Australia Cricket Association explained the nets were uncovered for only a matter of a few minutes - 'not even 10' - and that groundsman Damian Hough's staff had to prioritise protecting the Test match pitch first, once the rain began to fall.

An England spokesman confirmed the tourists are not seeking to blame anyone or make any complaints.

Anger: Pietersen vents his fury to thousands of followers on Twitter

'It is frustrating when we can't practise outdoors. We hope we can tomorrow,' he said.

Australia were able to use the outdoor nets this morning, when there were just two light showers. More persistent rain arrived, as forecast, at lunchtime - and wiped out England's planned afternoon practice outside.